OUR FAMILY

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Sunday, June 4, 2023: Happy birthday Emmy, Fast & Testimony meeting and Sunday School, J's ministering interview w/ Collin, Kitties, Burgers, "DMT", valley tomorrow

Brigham City, Utah

139th operating temple

Dedicated: 23 Sept 2012

By: Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 23:4

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Book of Mormon

Alma 11:1-20

Come Follow Me

John 13:36-38; Luke 22:24-38 Peter will deny Christ.

DMT John 14-17 "Continue Ye In My Love"

Jesus' Name

True Vine

Word

Abide

Phrase

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, . . .

Affirmation

With faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, I choose to abide in His words and follow His example. Through obedience to His commandments, I am blessed with divine guidance, eternal perspective, and the comforting assurance of His unfailing love.

AprGenCon

Ministering

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Everywhere I go, I gratefully learn from those who minister and care as our Savior would.

I got up at 5:30 and decided I was going to look for the blood pressure cuff. I looked over by the side of the recliner in the bedroom and there is was sitting on the end table, cord and cuff hanging down.

I guess James doesn't always put it away.

Happy 18th Birthday Emmy!

I fasted for Jared Ammon today. I have such fond memories of him as a little boy sitting at my computer playing Freddy the Fish. When Adam got diabetes Jared came to stay with us. I was putting him to bed one night and he asked me: "Gwamma, why am I bwown?"

What do you say to a little three year old when he asks you that question. I tried to explain that his dad was brown and that was probably why he was brown. I told him that Heavenly Father loves all of his children, no matter what color they are. He was the sweetest little boy and I loved him so much.

Brother Skousen conducted his first sacrament meeting since being called as a counselor in the bishopric. He almost forgot the sacrament if it hadn't been for a reminder from the bishop. Other than that, he did fine. Testimonies born:

Chris Skousen - I testify that I feel the Spirit and recognize it in my life. I have a testimony of....

Teresa Smith - Tomorrow is the 45th anniversary of my baptism. I feel the Spirit when I go to the temple. President Nelson is a Prophet of God.

Charlotte South - The Savior would have shed 1,000 drops of blood if it was just for me.

Bridgette Jordan - I want to thank the Young Women who took my family names to the temple for baptisms. My heart is filled with gratitude.

Donna Beckham

Donna's mother, Barbara passed away recently. Donna thanked those who helped her at this difficult time.

Georgia Jameson (YW)

So grateful for the opportunity the young women of our ward had to go to the Mesa and the Gilbert temple this past week. I know that this Church is true.

Paula Johnson

Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. I am grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and for the prophet today, Russell M. Nelson.

Alicia Hunsaker

The Mesa, Gilbert temple trip was wonderful. I am so grateful for President Nelson and I know that he is a prophet.

Lynn Wallace

I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration and that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet today. I am also grateful for our bishopric.

I have lived all of my life in Buckeye until coming here.

Dennis McClellan

I testify of the power of prayer, especially in doing family history. This work is true.

Barbara Bartels Tignor

I bear testimony of the divinity of this Church. It belongs to Jesus Christ.

I made the mistake of sitting on the front row in Sunday School. I had my workbook, The New Testament Gathering Personal Insights open on my lap with my answers to each question written in the squares. Brother Applegate came over and ask if he could see it. He showed the class the workbook and said, "look at this, every question is answered." Then he asked me where I got it. I told him it was written by Shannon Foster, who is the Redheaded Hostess. She doesn't do a podcast but she does have a website. How embarrassing.

After Sunday School James left with Collin DeWitt to do an interview. He forgot to give me the keys to the car so I sat and waited for him in the foyer.

When we got home it was rest time. We got some dark clouds and thunder, but no rain. Later this evening I grilled some hamburgers for dinner. It was so nice outside. James was watering trees and his two kitties were following him around. He has been feeding them.

This evening I paid for a room at the Hilton in Chandler for tomorrow night. It's close to the mall where the Cheesecake Factory is located. I also arranged for Kim & Brian to pick me up after my infusion and then I will wait for James to get back from Glendale at their house.

I worked on my blog this evening but I am so slow. I also listened to next week's "Don't Miss This", featuring John 14-17.

Sheri's homemade pizza

Mr. & Mrs. Wanlass

Jerusalem

Charlie girl

Charlie & Lovie

Rocky Road cake

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Saturday, June 3, 2023: James home @ 6pm, Dinner, Shower, Nap, "The Dancing Detective", Addy wants me to write a letter to her to open in 10 yrs,

Manaus, Brazil

138th operating temple

Dedicated: 10 June 2012

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 22:71

And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:17-32

Come Follow Me

John 13:34-35 My love for others is a sign that I am a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Jesus' Name

Servant/Deliverer

Word

Anoint

Phrase

My blood, shed for many, for the remission of sins.

Affirmation

I embrace the opportunity to renew my covenants and draw closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. With a humble heart, I commit to always remember Him and strive to emulate His example of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness.

AprGenCon

Just Keep Going - with Faith

Elder Carl. B. Cook

Of the Presidency of the Seventy

The God of heaven and earth will help us overcome discouragement and whatever obstacles we encounter if we look to Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and just keep going - with faith.

Up at 5:16. I tried to get James to come home last night but I guess he didn't because my bed is empty. I miss him.

I took my thyroid pill, said my prayers, and then went in to make myself some lemon water which I drank while still in the kitchen. I then went in and brushed my teeth. Next I read from the Book of Mormon and then did my Come Follow Me study which takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Next is breakfast so I can take my pain pills.

After breakfast I didn't feel very well so I laid down on the recliner for about an hour. Mornings used to be my most productive time but not lately.

When I got up from my nap I did my 20 minute rotation, deskwork, walk, puzzle, chore.

James called at 2:30 and said he was on his way home. He got here around six. We had bean burros and beets for dinner and then he took a shower while I finished cleaning the kitchen.

We did a little walking. We changed our book for "Forever and Forever" because James said we already read it, although I don't remember and will read it on my own, to "The Amiable Foe" by Jennie Goutet. After our walk we each did our own thing for awhile. I showered and worked on my Love Stamp puzzle sorting pieces while James worked at his desk (dining room table).

Around 8 p.m. we watched a movie together since we missed watching one on our anniversary. It's the same one I watched last night, "The Dancing Detective" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp.

I got a text from Addy this evening. She said that she and Kayla are doing a time capsule to be opened in ten years and asked me to write her a note or letter. I said I would be happy to. How fun. This will be easy to do for Addy, sweet girl that she is.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Friday, June 2, 2023: Up @ 5:16 all by myself, Love stamps puzzle, James home around 6, "An Amiable Foe," "The Dancing Detective", text frm Addy

Kansas City, Missouri

137th operating temple

Dedicated: 6 May 2012

By: Thomas S. Monson

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 22:67

Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said unto the, if I tell you, ye will no believe:

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

Come Follow Me

John 13:1-17 The Savior is our example of humbly serving others.

Jesus' Name

Servant/Deliverer

Word

Anoint

Phrase

My blood, shed for many, for the remission of sins

Affirmation

AprGenCon

"Never Give Up An Opportunity To Testify of Christ"

President Bonnie H. Cordon

Young Women General President

When Christ physically visited the Nephites at their temple, His invitation was not to stand at a distance and look upon Him, but to touch Him, to feel for themselves the reality of the Savior of humankind. How can we draw close enough to gain a personal witness of Jesus Christ?

James left early this morning for Glendale. We had prayer before he left and then I went back to bed. When I got up I realized I forgot to write about something that happened on Saturday and Sunday so I am going to include it here.

James was asked by the missionaries on Saturday afternoon if he would go with them to visit Joe Vaal. Of course he said yes. He went and when he got there the missionaries were leaving. They said that Joe was too busy to visit with them. He was working in his back yard on his garden. James decided to go back and say hi. He said he visited for quite awhile with Joe. Joe was wanting to plant beets but said they were sold out everywhere he went. James told him he had a package of seeds at home and would bring them over later, which we did. Joe was so grateful and thankful that James would come all this way just to bring him a package of beet seeds. He lives over 10 miles away.

Saturday after Barbara and Terry's wedding I went to Dollar General to looks for things to make their cake look nice. While I was standing in line to check out I saw a package of beet seeds and I bought them thinking James would want them to replace the ones he gave to Joe. When he saw the package he got so excited and said, "Oh we can take these to Joe too!"

Needless to say that Sunday afternoon we made another trip over to Joe's to take him another package of beet seeds. Maybe he will share his harvest with us. Joe's backyard is amazing with grow boxes filled with plants. His place is well cared for even though he is 90 years old and his feet are crippled.

I drove up to the auto center at exactly 9 a.m. this morning to get new tires. There was a long line of cars waiting to have their oil changed and the little man helping them motioned to me to roll my window down and told me to go to lane 4. A few minutes later he came over to help me. What a nice, pleasant man, probably my age.

Anyway I left the car and he said he would text me when it was finished. After I left I realized he probably had James's number, not mine. So I alerted James.

I finished my shopping just about the same time that the car was ready. That's why I like coming to Walmart, I can kill two birds with one stone.

Before going home I went to Dairy Queen to get a cherry Dilly bar. I asked if I could buy a box and they didn't have any. Disappointment #1. I asked for a cherry dipped cone and was told they no longer make them. Disappointment #2. Okay, could I have a small chocolate dipped cone. Yes, that will be $4.31. Yikes! For an ice cream cone? Oh my, Disappointment #3. At least the ice cream was enjoyable.

I went to get gas at Circle K using my Easypay card which gives me a ten cent per gallon discount. Woopee that makes up for that expensive ice cream cone. (Not)

When I got home and put groceries away I put on an episode of Aurora Teagarden while I had my rest time. I also started a new puzzle, the Love Stamp puzzle.

Stacy and Paul went to take Jared Ammon to check in at the recovery center only to find out that there were no beds available. They have to come back on Monday. A bit of a setback.

James called around 2:30. He said he was on his way home. He had a blowout on the freeway. He hit a piece of metal off of another vehicle. I wonder if he was following too close. This is his third blowout on the freeway coming home from Glendale.

When he opened his door to get out to get the jack he noticed he was over the white line and people were honking at him. He couldn't figure out how to unlock the rack that the spare was in. Suddenly he noticed a truck pulling a trailer pull over in front of him and two hispanic men jump out of the truck. One of them had a big jack and began jacking up the front of the truck. The other one came back and showed James the key inside of his fob to unlock the rack for the spare. Within a few minutes the tire was changed. James asked if he could pay them and one of them said, "We didn't do this for money." He thanked them and they were on their way. I am grateful for good Samaritans in real life and so is James.

I watched "The Dancing Detective" starring Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries this evening. Quite entertaining. This is the third Hallmark movie they have made together and I have loved every one of them.

We got some rain, lightning and thunder this evening.

Bishop & Cheryl Horne's granddaughter

James thinks it's Andrew's daughter

Did she climb that post by herself?

This picture doesn't do it justice

Asa River

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Thursday, June 1, 2023: Up @ 5, Happy 55th Anniversary, James fixes me brkfst and writes me the sweetest letter, Nap together, Red Devil, new book, puzzle

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

136th operating temple

Dedicated: 11 Dec 2011

By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Jesus Christ, Trials of

Luke 22:67

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

Book of Mormon

Alma 10:1-16

Come Follow Me

John 13:1-17 The Savior is our example of humbly serving others.

Jesus' Name

Servant/Deliverer

Word

Anoint

Phrase

My blood, shed for many, for the remission of sins.

Affirmation

AprGenCon

The Greatest Easter Story Ever Told

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

New Testament scholar N.T. Wright suggested:

"We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children's games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts....This is our greatest festival. Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away, and you don't have a New Testament; you don't have a Christianity."

I woke up right at five o'clock and I got up. I want to have my scriptures and prayers early because today is my anniversary.

James and I have been married for 55 years. We started going together in 1965 so we have actually been together 58 years.

James got up early too. He fixed us breakfast and wrote me a letter.

The letter was so sweet and I will treasure it forever, putting it in my personal scrapbook.

We read from the Book of Mormon together and Come Follow Me. Come Follow Me was about the Last Supper, the first sacrament and the ordinance of the washing of feet.

I listened to Susan and Tanna on Inklings talk about "Finding Personal Peace" by President Eyring. I wish this would have been the talk last week as I could have used some of the ideas in my lesson. Emily is in Israel again leading her last tour. Yes, even with a broken leg.

James found some wild kittens on our deck. He wanted to feed them. I went inside and opened a can of tuna. When James took it outside there was only one kitten. The other was gone. James watched the doings of this kitten and got enjoyment from this activity. She had to go to the bathroom. She dug a hole, did her business, and then proceeded to cover it up. When she finished she went over and smelled the spot and threw some more dirt upon it. James says they do this to cover up their smell so other animals won't find them.

She sniffed at the tuna on the lid James had put it on and then began to throw dirt upon it. James decided she didn't like it that well and came back inside to get some cream. As we were walking around in the kitchen I looked out the front window and saw what I assumed to be the mama cat, a tabby. I called James over just about the time the kitten James had been feeding came into view. She literally hopped over to her mama and they went off together towards the Cranes.

James and I took an early nap together. When I woke up I went in to get ready to go to town. We are going out to eat and then doing some shopping at Walmart. When James woke up he said, "Wow, I needed that nap." He does need to relax more.

Armando called with a problem at work. James had asked not to be called today but this was kind of an emergency. James gave some advice and somehow the problem got solved. In the meantime James kept saying, "I should be there."

I forgot to mention that earlier in the day James had texted Samantha regarding getting paid the April payment for the job. He told her that if he didn't receive payment he would have to stop work on the job.

Hopefully they will at least send half of what they owe us, which is way overdue. (Don't want to think about this on our anniversary).

My friend Tamara had said how good the food was at The Pasta House in Pinetop. I MapQuested it and found out it doesn't open until 5. It was around 3 and we were starving since we had not eaten since breakfast. There were two other Italian restaurants in Pinetop. I chose Red Devil and that is where we ate.

It was by no means fancy. It seemed as if they specialized in pizza but they had other entrees too. I ordered jumbo cheese ravioli with marinara sauce. James ordered the chicken marsala with a side of pasta. We each got a warm sourdough roll and I ordered a small dinner salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

The sauce on James's chicken was rather watery, nothing like the sauce he gets when he orders chicken marsala at Olive Garden. I asked him how it tasted. He said it was okay but he made haste in eating every bite.

I'm not sure how I feel about jumbo ravioli, but the creamy cheese inside and the marinara sauce was delicious. I could only eat two of the three ravioli so I asked for a "to go" box.

Our next stop was Walmart where I did some shopping and James went back to the auto center to make an appointment for new front tires. He made the appointment for 9 a.m. tomorrow morning which means I will be taking it in since James will be going back to the valley.

When we got home James put on his work clothes and went over to Barbara's. This morning he had met with Loran Ellsworth, a brother in our ward who is a general contractor. Barbara wants a ramp built for her son's home as he is handicapped. James does not have time to do it so he asked Brother Ellsworth because he built a ramp for Sue Hubble's daughter who is in a wheelchair.

Brother Ellsworth said he would "work in" this project. He actually is a general contractor and teaches construction skills to men had the addiction recovery center that Brother Applegate runs. Brother Ellsworth asked James if he would level the ground where the ramp is to be built so he could start on it tomorrow. This was the only time James could go and I understood. He said when he returned we would watch a movie and work on the puzzle. We did work on the puzzle but did not have time to watch a movie as James has to get up early to go to the valley in the morning.

Although we didn't get to do everything we wanted, it was a nice day for me and I hope for James. We spent time together and expressed our love for each other. We will continue celebrating next week when we go out to eat and go to the temple.